San Diego Highwayman

San Diego Highwayman Thomas Weller

Brent Foster / Los Angeles Times

Thomas Weller, known as the San Diego Highwayman, poses for a photo at his home in El Cajon, Calif. Weller drives along area freeways and offers help to motorists in trouble. High gas prices, however, are forcing him to cut back his Good Samaritan runs to once every three days.

Thomas Weller, known as the San Diego Highwayman, poses for a photo at his home in El Cajon, Calif. Weller drives along area freeways and offers help to motorists in trouble. High gas prices, however, are forcing him to cut back his Good Samaritan runs to once every three days. (Brent Foster / Los Angeles Times)

Weller's gas-guzzling rescue rig is a heavily modified 1955 Ford station wagon. He estimates it has 600,000 miles on it; he can't be certain because the odometer broke 10 years ago.

Weller's gas-guzzling rescue rig is a heavily modified 1955 Ford station wagon. He estimates it has 600,000 miles on it; he can't be certain because the odometer broke 10 years ago. (Brent Foster / Los Angeles Times)